Odela 2 movie Review

Odela 2, directed by Ashok teja, is a supernatural horror thriller and a sequel to the previously released and appreciated OTT film Odela. Starring Tamannaah Bhatia in the central role, this installment shifts from the original crime-thriller theme to a spiritual-horror backdrop. Released on April 17, Odela 2 tries to build upon its predecessor's story, but does it manage to engage the audience?

Plot Summary:

The story begins right where the first part ended—set once again in Odela village. A psychotic criminal, Tirupati (Vashishta Simha), who raped and murdered newlywed women, is killed by his wife Radha (Hebah Patel), who ends up in jail. The village breathes a sigh of relief, thinking the horror has ended. However, Tirupati returns as a vengeful spirit and resumes the killings. To protect the villagers, a spiritual ascetic named Bhairavi (Tamannaah) arrives. The core of the plot revolves around Bhairavi’s connection with the village, her battle against Tirupati's spirit, and the mystery linking them.

Analysis:

Odela 2 picks up right where its predecessor left off, but it takes a turn from a grounded crime thriller to a supernatural horror setting. While this shift could have brought freshness, the film lacks a solid narrative and compelling writing. It tries to imitate films like Arundhati, combining mythological and spiritual elements, but ends up as a failed attempt.

The screenplay is riddled with flaws and lacks coherence. The film struggles to maintain the suspense after the first half-hour. The storytelling becomes repetitive, with the spirit of Tirupati emerging in the same way and committing murders, leading to a sense of déjà vu. Director Sampath Nandi seems to have drawn from several past stories without creating anything original.

The confrontation between Bhairavi and the spirit in the second half fails to thrill or emotionally engage the audience. Instead of focusing on the story, the film leans too heavily on graphics and technical presentation. Tirupati’s transformation into a spirit lacks a strong reason, and the portrayal of Bhairavi as a spiritually powerful figure who ultimately feels helpless undermines her character. Adding to the woes, the film hints at yet another sequel, Odela Part-3, which feels unnecessary given the weak narrative here.

Performances:

Tamannaah tries to make her mark as the ascetic Bhairavi, but the role doesn’t suit her fully. The expected intensity and aura of the character are missing in her performance. Vashishta Simha delivers a convincing act as the menacing Tirupati, bringing out the cruelty of his character effectively. Hebah Patel’s role is limited but serves the plot.

Technical Aspects:

The film’s strengths lie in its technical execution. Soundar Rajan’s cinematography captures the eerie atmosphere well. Ajaneesh Loknath’s background score adds depth to the horror elements and is one of the film’s notable positives. However, the weak script and lack of innovative scenes pull down the overall impact.

Final Verdict:

Odela 2 is an underwhelming sequel that fails to match the tone, intrigue, and execution of its predecessor. While the shift to a supernatural horror theme had potential, the lack of a gripping story, predictable scenes, and weak character development make it a disappointing watch. Despite good technical support, the film suffers due to its shallow writing and absence of novelty.